Friday, May 14, 2010
Alchemy and Meggy Swann by Karen Cushman
In this story of the time of the first Queen Elizabeth, feisty Meggy is sent from her mother’s village to live in London with the father she has never known. She struggles with his disappointment when they meet - not only lame, she is not the son he had expected. Initially, Meggy finds the city a horrible place, but slowly she begins to change her mind after making a few friends and helping her father a little with his alchemy work. When she learns that he has sold arsenic to men who intend to poison their master, she frantically seeks a way to save both the man from his murderers and her father from the law.
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Ye toads and vipers! As Meggy Swann would like to say. The historical elements within the book are quite true to Medieval times - alchemy, trash in the streets (lack of common sanitation), the cruel behavior to those that are 'different,, as well as the singing of ballads to bring news. I found the alchemy, 'the art of transformation,'well written. I was very interested in reading this book since I spend time teaching students about the ancient practices of alchemy and was pleased with the author's facts and take on it. It was a quick read and entertaining.
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